Open Source: Diaspora Takes On Facebook

An open source based alternative to the social networking power-house, Facebook, is purportedly in the works by four students at New York University's Courant Institute Of Mathematical Science, branded Diaspora. The decentralized network will among other things address the much debated privacy issue that have marred the terrific social networking hub.

The Diaspora project aims to create an open-source social network where the user will maintain total control over their privacy. The idea is that Diaspora will not hold users information - termed 'seed' and that only people to whom you give a 'key' can access your information.

The project website states that a prototype portal is about now ready for release. However, the main project is billed for launch on September, under a GPL license. And the funding is also almost ready according to the report.

Indeed, the timing is right, given the recent face-off between Facebook and Privacy Advocacy Groups, including the EFF and consumer groups. Albeit, some people are still willing to sacrifice their privacy for the credible possibilities of Facebook, however, given an equally powerful tool and less privacy worries, bet the exodus will be en masse.